If you've always wanted to see Walt Disney's private apartment above the Main Street Firehouse, Disneyland has a new tour for you. Beginning September 9, Disneyland debuts an updated version of the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, renamed the Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps tour (read a review of the current version on MousePlanet).


The new tour includes "an exclusive look into Walt Disney's private apartment" and "a peek into the lobby of the exclusive, members-only Club 33." We asked Disney to explain the difference between a "look" and a "peek" so prospective tour guests would know what to expect. For this tour, participants enter a "portion" of Walt's apartment, and get a group photo taken—no personal photography will be allowed. As for the peek into Club 33, tour guests enter the first-floor lobby of the club, where they can see the hostess podium, cloak closet, and the club's famous elevator—but not go upstairs into the dining rooms.
As with the previous version, the tour includes a ride on two attractions, lunch on Main Street, and a souvenir pin. The new tour is $109 per person, a $45 increase over the current price. Discounts are available for Annual Passholders, Disney Rewards Visa cardholders, AAA members, and Disney Vacation Club members.
The tour is offered once daily, and you can make a reservation 30 days in advance by calling (714) 781-8687.
Disney has released details of the 2012–2013 Military Salute for Disneyland and Walt Disney World. As MilitaryDisney.com reported, Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets are $125 effective August 17, 2012 (up from the current price of $95), with the following blockout dates: December 23, 2012 to January 2, 2013; February 15–17, 2013; March 25 to April 5, 2013; and July 4, 2013. By comparison, the 2012 offer had only one blockout date, July 4.
There's a bit more fine print to the offer, but the most common questions we are asked about these offers is who is eligible and where these can be purchased. The offer details state:
Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets may be purchased August 17, 2012 through September 26, 2013, and are valid October 1, 2012 through September 28, 2013.
Active and retired U.S. military personnel are also eligible for discounted rates at the Disneyland Resort Hotels most nights October 1, 2012 through September 28, 2013; subject to the following block-out dates: November 22–24, 2012; December 23–31, 2012; and March 25 through April 4, 2013
Advance reservations required, valid Military ID will be required upon check-in, and the military member (or spouse) must stay in the room.
For additional information about these offers, or to make reservations, military personnel may call 714-956-6424 or participating U.S. military base ticket offices, or visit disneymilitarysales.com.
Just a few months after its debut at Disney California Adventure, Disney is adding Glow with the Show technology to Disneyland's Fantasmic nighttime spectacular. The Disney Parks Blog announced last week that Fantasmic will be updated later this month to incorporate the light-up headwear, and the hats are already on sale inside of Disneyland park. No word whether Disneyland is hosting a special event to kick off the new show, though it seems likely if only so they can get publicity photos of a full audience wearing the high-tech hats.
The Disney online community has been buzzing for months with speculation that the Electrical Parade may return to California, and maybe even to Disneyland park, if and when SpectroMagic returns to Walt Disney World in 2013. If this happens (something that will delight me to no end), you can be absolutely certain that Disney will incorporate the Glow with the Show ears into the parade performance.
While we're all dreaming, take a look at this video Disney released discussing how the Glow with the Show ears are programmed to work with World of Color. If you'd really like to see the nuts and bolts of the hats, the Stuff Andy Makes blog disassembled one of the hats, and posted photos and descriptions of the components.
After documenting the Disneyland Resort expansion for five years, it's been a little unusual to not have a construction crane in sight since Cars Land opened two months ago. But as work progresses on the new Fantasy Fair in Disneyland, a small crane has been brought in to help with some of the new vertical construction visible above the work walls. The former Princess Fantasy Fair location in the Fantasyland Theater closed Sunday so work can begin to prepare the theater for a new stage show, set to debut next summer.
While the Fantasyland Theater is closed, and until the new Fantasy Fair opens next spring, the princess meet-and-greet location has moved to the terrace near "it's a small world." Three backdrops, each with a mesh sun shade, were installed last week. The new meet-and-greet is set to open today.

The terrace near "it's a small world" is the temporary home of the princess meet-and-greet inside Disneyland. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Each of the three sections has a unique backdrop, and is covered with a mesh sun shade. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Work continues on the new Fantasy Fair complex, set to open in spring 2012. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The skeleton of the Carnation Plaza Gardens band stand is intact. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Another view of the bandstand shows that many of the surrounding structures have been stripped to their frames. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A new structure is visible at the back of the former Carnation Plaza Gardens. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Another view of the new structure being constructed for the Fantasy Fair complex. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
...We noticed this weekend that there are fewer beach balls in use at Luigi's Flying Tires, just 9 beach balls for 17 tires on Sunday. By comparison, when the ride opened in June, there were seemingly more beach balls than tires. At the time, I even remarked that I wanted to change the name of the attraction to "Luigi's Beach Ball Fight," because catching and throwing the beach balls seemed to be the sole focus of so many riders.

Where have all the beach balls gone? Luigi's Flying Tires operates with less than half of the beach balls than during the ride's grand opening. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
We also noticed that cast members no longer distribute the beach balls to riders before the ride cycle begins. One cast member said the change was to "make it more challenging" for riders to chase and catch the beach balls, but some readers have suggested the change is to discourage people from throwing beach balls at one another. Some readers don't seem especially unhappy to see fewer beach balls. Replying on Twitter, @MimsyYamaguchi said "Luigi's probably operates better with less beach balls and the tires will go further." @JackWIII wrote, "they gotta be phasing it out as it seems like it slows down load times considerably."
...If you missed your chance to register for the Tinker Bell half marathon, MousePlanet reader fairestoneofall has spots available on the team she has formed to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Team Muscle Makers is one of the 10 charity organizations recognized by runDisney for this event. Team members must commit to raising at least $650. For more information, visit their Facebook page or registration site.

The new issue of The Buena Vista Bugle is available at Disney California Adventure. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
...The third edition of The Buena Vista Bugle , the free "newspaper" distributed inside the park, has been released at Disney California Adventure.
...Residents of the Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto area can register to win a trip to Cars Land from the Sacramento-area CBS television affiliate. Complete rules on the contest website.
...The Mousetalgia podcast and Doombuggies.com, an unofficial Disney site, are hosting "An Evening in the Tahitian Terrace" on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. Tickets are $259 per person, and available at the event website.
...Tickets for the 2013 D23 Expo went on sale last Thursday, with the $1500 Sorcerer's Package selling out in less than 10 minutes. One-day tickets and 3-day event passes are available through the event website, and Early Bird pricing is available through December 31, 2012.
…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun MouseAdventure bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, go to the MousePlanet main page and enter your email address in the top right box labeled "Join the MousePlanet Newsletter." Click Join, then fill out the fields in the registration page, including your first and last name. The Newsletter is free, but you must complete this registration to receive it, even if you may have signed up for one with us in the past.
…Visitors planning trips to the Disneyland Resort should make a point to check the Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures section each week for the most recent updates. The Disneyland Resort Web site currently only publishes refurbishment information about six weeks in advance. Be sure to check the most recent Park Update (link) for the latest changes, as MousePlanet does not edit past Park Updates to reflect changes.
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Advertisement Crowd information and forecasts are provided by TouringPlans.com, the website of the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, to help you better plan your trip to the Disneyland Resort. TouringPlans.com gathers wait time data from a team of in-park researchers and users of their Lines mobile phone application, and then predicts crowd levels for the next 365 days. Using a scale from 1 to 10, TouringPlans.com has a 90 percent accuracy of predicting the crowds to within 1 point, helping visitors prepare for their trips so they can "Do more. Wait less."
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Note: Not all of these have been officially confirmed by Disney, and are all subject to change at any time. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit.
Note: Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, call Disneyland at (714) 781-7290.
Check here to see if a large convention, competition or park event might fall during your next trip to the Disneyland Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail (link).
2012
SummerFall
Winter
2013
Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers!
This first section is a list of discounts on ticket–only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts.
If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line. Note, we are no longer listing offers from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, as their convenience fee negates any savings.
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One Day, One Park Ticket – Regularly $87/$81 One Day Park Hopper – Regularly $125/$119 |
No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them. |
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Two Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $170/$158 Two Day Park Hopper – Regularly $200/$188 |
Get Away Today Vacations – MousePlanet sponsor Get Away Today Vacations sells two-day tickets at a slight discount over the Disneyland main gate price. 2-day Park Hoppers are $197 for adults and $185 for children; 2-day 1/park/day tickets are $168 for adults and $156 for children Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them. |
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Three Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $220/$205 Three Day Park Hopper – Regularly $250/$235 |
Get Away Today Vacations – MousePlanet sponsor Get Away Today Vacations sells three-day tickets at a slight discount over the Disneyland main gate price. 3-day Park Hoppers are $245 for adults and $230 for children; 3-day 1/park/day tickets are $217 for adults and $202 for children 2012-2013 Disney Military Promotional 3–Day Park Hopper Ticket ($95) – 2011-2012 Disney Military Promotional 3–Day Park Hopper Ticket ($95) – A discounted price offered to active or retired U.S. military personnel or their spouses. Based on past offers, Disney defines "Eligible Service Members" as active or retired members of the US military, including active members of the National Guard or Reservists and active or retired members of the US Coast Guard. This discount is available at MWR/ITT offices at your military base, or at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Valid military ID is required. The price is the same for adults and children, and total of six tickets may be purchased per military member, regardless of who purchases the tickets (the member or their spouse). Tickets must be purchased by Sept 30, 2012. The ticket has the following blockout date: July 4, 2012. As far as we can tell, there is no "fuse" on this ticket, so you may have more than the standard 13 days from first use to use the remaining two admissions, but we highly recommend you contact your base MWR/ITT office for more details before making travel plans. Please note that this ticket is not a "bonus" ticket, and so does not include an early admission day. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if other discounts are available through them. |
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Four Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $245/$225 Four Day Park Hopper – Regularly $275/$255 |
Get Away Today Vacations – MousePlanet sponsor Get Away Today Vacations sells four-day tickets at a slight discount over the Disneyland main gate price. 4-day Park Hoppers are $270 for adults and $250 for children; 4-day 1/park/day tickets are $240 for adults and $220 for children Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them. |
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Five Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $260/$240 Five Day Park Hopper – Regularly $290/$270 |
Get Away Today Vacations – MousePlanet sponsor Get Away Today Vacations sells five-day tickets at a slight discount over the Disneyland main gate price. 5-day Park Hoppers are $285 for adults and $265 for children; 5-day 1/park/day tickets are $255 for adults and $235 for children Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them. |
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Six Day, One Park per Day Ticket Six Day Park Hopper |
No longer offered by Disneyland. Some travel providers may offer 6-day or longer tickets to international customers as part of a package; residents of Canada, Australia or the UK should check with local travel agencies to see what options may be available to you. |
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| Disneyland Resort Annual Passports |
No discounts currently available for new purchases. California residents can take advantage of the monthly–payment plan when purchasing any but the Premier Annual Passport.
Premier Annual Passport: $849 [Valid at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort; includes parking] Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if other discounts are available through them. |
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Southern California CityPass
Southern California CityPass PLUS |
2012 Southern California CityPass ($279/$239) – This pass includes a 3–Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket (including one early–entry day), a one–day admission to Sea World San Diego and a one-day admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. The CityPass expires 14 days after first use at any location, and the first use must occur by December 31, 2012. Purchase CityPass through the Disneyland Website or on–site at the ticket booths of Disneyland Resort or the other theme parks included in the pass. You can also purchase directly from the CityPass Website, though a shipping charge may apply depending on how quickly you need the ticket. 2012 Southern California CityPass PLUS ($311/$263) – This pass includes a 3–Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket (including one early–entry day), a one–day admission to Sea World San Diego and a one-day admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, PLUS one–day admission to either San Diego Zoo or San Diego Safari Park. The CityPass expires 14 days after first use at any location, and the first use must occur by December 31, 2012. This upgraded pass is only available for purchase directly from the CityPass Website. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if other discounts are available through them. |
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Costco Travel Packages – Many different travel packages including visits to Disneyland and Disneyland hotels are available through Costco. When purchasing a Costco Disneyland travel package, extras that will be included are: Mickey's Toontown Madness admission (currently available Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays), a character breakfast collectible pin and lanyard, and a Costco luggage tag per person, plus a $20 Disneyland Resort gift card per package.
Disney's Resort Magic and Good Neighbor Magic Packages – Package includes accommodations one of the three resort hotels or at one of 40 Good Neighbor hotels; Souvenir Park Hopper ticket with voucher for admission to Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness, plus one Magic Morning (early entry) for three–day or longer Park Hoppers; preferred seating at three DCA attractions (Disney's Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, Muppet*Vision 3D, It's Tough to be a Bug!); Preferred Showing of Turtle Talk with Crush (Priority Viewing at the first Turtle Talk with Crush show of the day, on any one day – one voucher per Guest); Disney Dream coin keepsake (one per package), luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card; and a "Character Call" from Mickey, Minnie, Goofy or Crush. Contact Disney Travel or your favorite travel agent.
Contact a MousePlanet sponsor travel agency for assistance in booking your next trip
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Annual Passholder offers – Disneyland has once again extended the 20% merchandise discount offered to Premium annual passholders. The discount is now valid through December 31, 2012.
Purchase with Purchase offers – Disneyland Resort shops frequently offer a reduced–price souvenir (often a tote bag, watch, or blanket) with a qualifying minimum purchase. The current offers are:
Disneyland shops
Disney California Adventure shops
Downtown Disney / Disneyland Resort Hotel shops
Character Dining Vouchers – Discounted character dining vouchers are available for purchase online, in advance of your trip, through Get Away Travel.
Disney Visa – Cardholders have access to a private Character Meet 'N' Greet photo opportunity at Disney California Adventure, and receive one free 5x7 photograph per visit. Cardholders also receive 10% off qualifying merchandise purchases of $50 or more from Disney–operated retail stores, 10% off at selected Disneyland Resort restaurants, (Big Thunder Ranch, River Belle Terrace, French Market, Cocina Cucamonga, Steakhouse 55, PCH Grill and Storyteller's Café), and 20% off the "Welcome to Disneyland," "A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps," and "Discover the Magic" guided tours. See the Disney Visa website for terms and conditions.
Landry's Select Club – Members of the Landry's Select Club get priority seating at the Rainforest Cafe when available (which makes a huge difference on busy days), and a 10% discount on retail purchases. This club replaces the former Rainforest Cafe Safari Club as of March 31, 2012. If you are already a Safari Club member, you can migrate your membership to the new Landry's Select Club at no charge, and start to earn points in the new program. The new Select Club eliminated the entree discount and free appetizer offer that was included with the Safari Club, replacing them with a point–based system that gives you a $25 gift certificate after you spend $250. If you are not yet a member of either the Safari Club or the Landry's Select Club, you can pre–purchase your membership before your trip. Membership now costs $25, but comes with a $25 reward.
ESPNZone MVP Club – Membership in the MVP Club does not offer any discounts on food. However, once a member you can make an online reservation for your party up to three days in advance and will get a 25% increase in points purchased when playing games in the Sports Arena (and 40 bonus points at activation). You must register online and your membership card will then be mailed to you within two weeks. The card must then be activated at any ESPNZone by the person who signed up for the card and ID will be required (link).
DL: Disneyland
DCA: Disney California Adventure
Annual Pass blockouts:
Early Admission: (full description available on the Disneyland website)
Disneyland Resort Special Events:
| 8/12 | 8/13 | 8/14 |
8/15 |
8/16 | 8/17 | 8/18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM DCA: 8a-11p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / TT / AP DCA: 8a-11p EMH AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM DCA: 8a-11p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
DL: 8a-12a
AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM DCA: 8a-11p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
DL: 8a-12a
AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM / TT DCA: 8a-11p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL/SC/DX Events: None |
| 8/19 | 8/20 | 8/21 |
8/22 |
8/23 | 8/24 | 8/25 |
|
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM DCA: 8a-11p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / TT / AP DCA: 8a-11p EMH AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM DCA: 8a-11p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 8a-12a AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM DCA: 8a-11p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 8a-12a
AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM / TT DCA: 8a-11p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
| 8/26 | 8/27 | 8/28 |
8/29 |
8/30 | 8/31 | 9/1 |
|
DL: 8a-11p EMH / MM DCA: 8a-11p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL Events: None |
DL: 9a-10p EMH / TT / AP DCA: 9a-10p EMH AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 9a-10p EMH / MM DCA: 9a-10p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 9a-10p AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 9a-10p EMH / MM DCA: 9a-10p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 9a-12a
AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 9a-12a EMH / MM / TT DCA: 9a-10p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
| 9/2 | 9/3 | 9/4 |
9/5 |
9/6 | 9/7 | 9/8 |
|
DL: 9a-12a
Disneyland Half |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / TT / AP DCA: 8a-10p EMH AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 10a-8p EMH / MM DCA: 10a-8p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 10a-8p AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 10a-5p*
*Disneyland to close
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DL: 9a-11p AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM / TT DCA: 8a-10p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
| 9/9 | 9/10 | 9/11 |
9/12 |
9/13 | 9/14 | 9/15 |
|
DL: 9a-11p EMH / MM DCA: 9a-10p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: SL Events: None |
DL: 10a-8p EMH / TT / AP DCA: 10a-8p EMH AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 10a-8p EMH / MM DCA: 10a-8p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 10a-8p AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 10a-8p EMH / MM DCA: 10a-8p EMH / AP AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 9a-12a AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM / TT DCA: 8a-10p None AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
| 9/16 | 9/17 | 9/18 |
9/19 |
9/20 | 9/21 | 9/22 |
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DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM DCA: 8a-10p None AP Blockouts: SL Events: None |
DL: 10a-8p TT DCA: 10a-8p EMH AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 10a-8p EMH / MM DCA: 10a-8p None AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 10a-8p AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 10a-8p EMH / MM DCA: 10a-8p None AP Blockouts: Events: None |
DL: 9a-12a AP Blockouts
Events: |
DL: 8a-12a EMH / MM / TT DCA: 8a-10p None AP Blockouts: SL/SC Events: None |
Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland. As always, specifics are subject to change without notice (or occasionally, without us noticing) so when information conflicts between what is presented here and that presented by Disney, it is best to assume Disney's information is correct.
Visit the Park Hours section of our Disneyland Park guide for additional details about Magic Morning and Toontown Morning Madness, including available attractions.
Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.
(Send an email to Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix)
Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix (@MousePlanetAVP) is an original MousePlanet staffer and manages to find time for all of this while running two retail stores, MouseShoppe and CharmingShoppe.